In Transit: Boston!

Hello all,

I have yet to arrive in Reykjavik, but already find myself online and wanting to get this blog  started. Nothing too noteworthy has happened yet; this is simply an introduction to the blog that I will be keeping while in Iceland.  I will be living and studying at the University of Iceland, and it will be, of course, through the lens of my personal experience, but I hope it gives you a better idea of Icelandic life and culture. I hope you find it interesting/informative/entertaining. Let me know if more pictures are needed at any point!

Come to think of it, two somewhat notable things happened this morning in Boston:



I took the Subway into Boston (Bowdoin area) to see a bit of the city. I bought a ticket for the value of $5 US. As soon as I reached the subway platform, I had my eyes open for someone who could tell me how long my ticket would last for, or how many trips a $5 ticket purchased, as there was no real indication on the ticket itself. Ah! Very convenient; there she was. There on the platform was a transit service person sitting in a little cylindrical plexiglas office, open for questions. I approached her, then stood in front of her, staring through the rather thick looking plexiglas barrier that divided us. She looked at me. I waited for her to open some sort of window through which we could communicate. She did no such thing. I say: "Hi. Can you...hear me?" She nods in the affirmative. "Oh, ok. how long does this ticket last? When does it expire?" I ask. She mouths something. Let me tell you, this divider between us was NOT sound-permeable. If anything, it muffled what little sound did get through. I was not hearing what she was explaining to me. She continued to do hand gestures and enhanced verbal enunciation to communicate her meaning. I looked confused, but nodded as if I understood what she was saying (which I think was that there is no expiry on my ticket, which was only half of the information I was looking for...). I walked away smiling to myself, thinking what a ridiculously unhelpful system it was. More of a safety box than a help desk, I think.



Once I got into the city, I wandered around a bit, enjoying the old buildings, churches, City Hall, where there was a bike festival going on; then I finagled a Boston bagel at the ubiquitous "Finagle a Bagel" bagel joint. This was the best bagel I've ever had, and I encourage anyone in Boston to visit this chain.



Good thing I'm coming back to Boston next year for my brother's graduation and wedding, so that I can properly appreciate this beautiful city! Cant wait, but for now, ICELAND!!!



Hope you are all well,



Elise